Operation Roaring Lion: Live updates

Following criticism directed at an officer in the Northern Command, a military source involved in the matter clarified that disarming the terrorist organization is not defined as a military objective, but rather a political one.

“As a general in the IDF, he was not tasked with disarming Hezbollah of its weapons; he is operating toward different objectives," the source said, adding that while dismantling Hezbollah is a broader aim, it remains a long-term goal and “not operational for this campaign," according to Kan News.

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated yesterday, after a situational assessment with the Chief of Staff and senior officials, that “Israel’s policy has been and remains clear: the supreme objective is the removal of Hezbollah’s weapons through both military and political action, regardless of the Iran issue. We promised security to northern communities, and that is exactly what will be done."

Meanwhile, journlist Roi Sharon reported this week that the IDF estimates its deployment along the “anti-tank line" inside Lebanese territory will be completed within a week, aiming to prevent anti-tank missile fire toward northern communities. As four divisions continue operations against Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, the political leadership is expected to decide on the next phase - whether to establish a security zone with fixed positions or adopt a defensive approach without a permanent presence in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli Air Force, acting on IDF intelligence, on Saturday struck infrastructure at a petrochemical complex in Mahshahr, in southwestern Iran, responsible for producing and exporting chemical materials to the regime’s armed forces.

As part of the strikes, the IDF targeted a site housing one of two central facilities used to produce materials for explosives, ballistic missile, and additional weaponry.

The site is one of the primary locations where a critical component for ballistic missiles is produced.

"The damage to this infrastructure is expected to disrupt the regime’s ability to use the materials produced at the facility for manufacturing various types of weapons intended to target the State of Israel," the IDF emphasized.

"The completed strike is part of the ongoing phase aimed at deepening the damage to the core systems and foundations of the Iranian terror regime."

The IDF continued to conduct strikes throughout the weekend simultaneously in Iran and Lebanon.

Over the weekend, the Israeli Air Force, guided by IDF Intelligence, struck more than 200 Iranian terror regime infrastructure targets across various regions in Iran, as well as Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure throughout Lebanon.

In Iran, dozens of targets belonging to the Iranian regime were struck, including a central Islamic IRGC site where a variety of weapons were stored, including ballistic missile launchers. Also struck were sites for the production, storage, and development of ballistic missiles intended to target aircraft; and air defense systems of the Iranian terror regime.

In Lebanon, more than 140 Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure targets were struck over the weekend.

The IDF struck a Hezbollah terrorist training site, weapons storage facilities, launch sites, headquarters of the Radwan Force, and additional Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in Beirut and across Lebanon.

In parallel, IDF troops continue to operate in southern Lebanon, enhancing targeted ground operations and eliminating terrorists.

Troops of the 91st Division located large quantities of weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles, RPGs, and grenades. Over the past week, the division’s troops eliminated more than 35 Hezbollah terrorists in airstrikes and face-to-face combat.

Troops of the 146th Division eliminated several Hezbollah terrorists in close-quarters engagements, including terrorists armed with RPGs, as well as additional terrorists in separate encounters. The forces also located various types of weapons and underground tunnel shafts.

Additionally, troops of the 36th Division continued to deepen operational activity, striking Hezbollah terrorists and infrastructure. Over the past day, artillery batteries of the 282nd Brigade operating in southern Lebanon fired more than 400 shells toward Hezbollah terrorist targets.

In addition, the 215th Fire Brigade, under the command of the 162nd Division, struck a headquarters containing several UAVs. The headquarters was used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to launch unmanned aerial vehicles toward IDF forces and the State of Israel. In a focused operational activity, additional weapons and combat equipment were located, including firearms, vests, and magazines.

"The IDF will continue to deepen its operations against the Iranian terror regime and the Hezbollah terrorist organization in parallel, in order to remove threats to civilians of the State of Israel," the IDF stressed following the strikes.

The Israeli Air Force, acting on IDF Intelligence, on Friday completed a wave of strikes against Iranian terror regime infrastructure sites across Tehran.

In the strikes, the IDF struck regime aerial defense sites, including an IRGC aerial defense site where missiles intended to target aircraft were stored.

In addition, the IDF struck a military site responsible for safeguarding the regime’s weapons research and development facilities.

Simultaneously, the IDF struck a site where ballistic missiles were stored, along with additional weapons production, research and development sites.

These completed strikes are part of the ongoing phase of increasing damage to the Iranian terror regime’s core systems and foundations.

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran has 48 hours before "hell" breaks loose.

In a warning posted on Truth Social, he wrote,"Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!"

Since the start of the current conflict, Iran has effectively closed or severely impeded the Strait of Hormuz by declaring it "closed," threatening attacks on commercial vessels, deploying assets like fast boats, drones, missiles, and laying some naval mines.

Meanwhile, US Senator Lindsey Graham confirmed, "I just had a great conversation with POTUS. I totally support his ultimatum to the Iranian regime to open up the Strait of Hormuz and to do a peace deal."

He warned, "A massive military operation awaits Iran if they choose poorly. This regime has been severely crippled through Operation Epic Fury. Their reign of terror against the region and the world needs to come to an end, hopefully through a peace deal."

"After speaking with President Trump this morning, I am completely convinced that he will use overwhelming military force against the regime if they continue to impede the Strait of Hormuz and refuse a diplomatic solution to achieve our military objectives. If it’s not clear to Iran and others by now that President Trump means what he says then I don’t know when it will ever be. Choose wisely."

The Israeli Air Force continues to strike the Iranian regime's firepower arrays with the aim of reducing the scope of fire toward the citizens of Israel.

On Friday, the IDF conducted a precise strike targeting a truck that was being used as a mobile ballistic missile launcher in the Tabriz area.

The strike dismantled the launcher and thwarted missile-firing plans toward the State of Israel from western Iran.

Two warheads from an Iranian cluster missile fired toward the Tel Aviv metropolitan area around noon exploded near the Kirya base in Tel Aviv - one in a parking lot and another at a school, the censors cleared for publication.

A vehicle overturned due to a blast that struck the parking area, and damage was caused to the school. No injuries were reported.

In a separate incident, a missile launched about an hour before nightfall on Saturday resulted in two impact sites in an Arab neighborhood of Jerusalem.

“These were blast impacts that caused damage to buildings at two locations," officials said. “At this stage, no casualties are known."

Home Front Command forces at the school hit near the Kirya (Credit: IDF spokesperson)

Magen David Adom’s (MDA) national emergency center reported that shortly after the cluster missile strike, teams were scanning more than ten impact sites in Bnei Brak, Petah Tikva, Ramat Gan, and Rosh Ha'ayin. Damage was reported in some of the locations.

MDA teams treated a man of about 50 years old who was injured by the blast in Ramat Gan and evacuated him in light condition to Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Hospital.

Sergeant First Class Guy Ludar fell in combat in Lebanon, the IDF announced Saturday evening.

Ludar, aged 21 from Yuvalim, served as a soldier in the Maglan Unit, Commando Brigade, fell on Friday during combat in southern Lebanon.

In the incident Sergeant First Class Guy Ludar fell, an additional soldier was severely injured.

According to reports, Ludar was killed by friendly fire during an arrest operation in the village of Shebaa in southern Lebanon. Another soldier was seriously wounded.

An initial investigation indicates that a special forces unit from Maglan operating late Friday in Shebaa, as part of a mission to arrest a Hezbollah collaborator, was involved in a friendly fire incident.

During the operation, after surrounding the building and taking positions, a soldier identified what he believed were “suspects" fleeing the scene and opened fire.

It was later determined that the individuals were members of the same unit. One soldier was killed and another seriously injured. The IDF has defined the incident as friendly fire resulting from a lack of coordination regarding troop positions.

The Lebanese suspect accused of assisting Hezbollah was apprehended and transferred to Israel for questioning.

US special forces are searching for the navigator of an F-15E fighter jet that crashed Friday in Iran.

Iranian search efforts, at least publicly, are focused on the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province in southwestern Iran, in the heart of the Zagros mountain range.

Iranian media have reportedly offered a reward of approximately $66,000 for anyone who captures the navigator alive. According to a report in the British newspaper The Telegraph, tribal populations in the region, known for their deep-rooted traditions, have responded to the call.

US President Donald Trump stated that the downing of the aircraft would not affect negotiations with Iran, but indicated that the situation could change significantly if Iranian forces locate the navigator first.

The fighter pilot, it was noted, has already been rescued under fire by helicopters-two of which were hit by Iranian fire but managed to land safely. An A-10 aircraft also crashed, and its pilot was successfully rescued from the Gulf. According to overnight reports, US commando forces are operating on Iranian soil as part of the search for the missing navigator.

Alongside the strikes in Beirut, the IDF has launched a broad campaign targeting the Iranian regime’s terrorist infrastructure in Tehran.

The Higher Follow-Up Committee for Israel’s Arabs is calling for an immediate halt to the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran and for Muslims to be allowed access to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The news site “Al-Jarmaq" reports that during its meeting in Umm al-Fahm, the committee, chaired by Jamal Zahalka, discussed the war’s impact on Arab society, which the committee described in a statement as an “aggressive colonial war."

The committee also condemned the “attacks" by Israel in Gaza and the “violations" of human rights by Israel in Judea and Samaria, warning of the dangers of forcibly displacing Palestinian residents as part of Israel’s policy implementation.

Additionally, the committee called on Islamic and Arab countries, as well as the international community, to exert pressure on Israel to lift the restrictions preventing Muslims from praying at the Al-Aqsa Mosque due to the war, and announced its intention to organize a delegation to Jerusalem as part of a campaign to protect holy sites.

The Higher Follow-Up Committee also intends to revive the “Black Flag Marches" after the war ends, as part of its campaign against violence and crime in Arab society.

A channel linked to Iranian state television claimed Friday that a US fighter pilot ejected from an aircraft over southwestern Iran.

It remains unclear what happened to the plane, including whether Iran alleges it was shot down or experienced another malfunction. If confirmed, the incident could mark a further escalation in the war as it approaches its fifth week. The US did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The channel’s anchor called on residents to hand over any “enemy pilot" to authorities, offering a reward. The report originated from Kohkilouyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, a largely rural and mountainous area covering more than 15,500 square kilometers.

An earlier on-screen message urged the public to “shoot them if you see them," referring to circulating social media footage purportedly showing US aircraft in the region.

Israeli Air Force helicopter crews and soldiers remain on constant standby and are deployed in real time to evacuate the wounded quickly and safely, bringing them to hospitals for medical treatment as fast as possible.

Soldiers operate alongside ground forces to provide initial medical care and streamline the evacuation process with helicopters, alongside Medical Corps teams delivering life-saving treatment in the field.

The casualty evacuation effort is a mission of the highest value, and since the beginning of operations against the Hezbollah terrorist organization, dozens of evacuations have been carried out, including complex helicopter evacuations from Lebanese territory.

Attached is footage from an Israeli Air Force aerial evacuation in southern Lebanon:

The IDF on Friday morning published a significant update regarding the expected duration of reserve duty during 2026, citing the ongoing war and the continued need for manpower.

According to the update, reserve service will last approximately nine weeks. The directive applies to the upcoming round of call-ups, intended to replace forces currently carrying out various missions since the start of Operation Roaring Lion in February.

The extension will also apply to forces currently deployed across all units and branches, as well as operational headquarters.

Some reservists are expected to receive updated Tzav 8 emergency call-up notices, bringing forward their previously-scheduled reporting dates.

The IDF stated that the service model for regular (conscript) soldiers has also been updated and will be adjusted to operational requirements and the evolving needs of the war.

The military also emphasized its appreciation for the contribution of reservists and their families to national security, particularly during this intensive period, and said it will continue working to ensure appropriate service conditions and provide a broad support framework.

The ISIS terrorist organization on Thursday published a call to set fire to synagogues and churches across the US and Europe over the coming weekend, in response to what it described as Israel’s closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

The call appeared in the latest issue of the group’s weekly publication Al-Naba, according to a report by the New York Post.

“In light of the tragedy of the closure of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, it is the duty of Muslims everywhere who long to come to the aid of their Prophet’s site to rise up and burn the Jewish synagogues spread across America, Europe, Russia, India and elsewhere," the publication stated.

The terror group added that “the same applies to synagogues in Tunisia, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Syria. Their locations are well known and their details have been published."

In addition to the call for arson attacks, the publication urged assaults on “Jewish gatherings" worldwide and instructed supporters to “imitate the actions of the ‘heroes of Sydney,’" referring to the Hanukkah terror attack in Australia in which 15 Jews were killed and 40 others were wounded.

ISIS also claimed responsibility for causing 60 casualties in 15 “operations" carried out over the past week around the world.

Security authorities in the US and Europe have not yet issued an official response to the threat, though increased security is expected over the weekend near Jewish and Christian places of worship.

Al-Aqsa Mosque has been closed since the start of the war, alongside the Temple Mount and Christian holy sites located in the Old City of Jerusalem. Religious sites, however, are not the only places impacted: Prior to Passover vacation, students in Jerusalem moved to a remote learning format, and across all of Israel, only workplaces with access to a bomb shelter within the required timeframe have reopened. Rachel's Tomb closed to visitors, sparking fury, but reopened days later after two bomb shelters were placed at the site.

Last month, an Iranian warhead was found near the Temple Mount.

Defense Minister Israel Katz held a situation assessment Friday morning at the IDF headquarters together with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, Head of the Operations Directorate Maj. Gen. Itzik Cohen, Military Secretary Brig. Gen. Guy Markizano, and other senior defense officials.

Responding to a report that disarming Hezbollah is no longer on the table, Katz said, "Israel’s policy in Lebanon has been and remains clear: The supreme objective is the disarmament of Hezbollah through military and diplomatic means - independent of the Iran issue. The IDF is completing its ground maneuver up to the antitank line in order to protect and prevent a direct threat to Israeli border communities."

He added that "homes in villages near the border in Lebanon, which serve as Hezbollah outposts in every respect, will be destroyed in accordance with the Rafah and Khan Yunis model in Gaza, in order to remove the threat to Israeli communities."

Echoing his previous statements, Katz said, "The IDF will maintain security control in the Litani area, and the return of approximately 600,000 residents of southern Lebanon who evacuated northward will not be permitted south of the Litani until the security of northern residents is ensured."

Katz further stated that the IDF would continue targeting Hezbollah leaders and operatives throughout Lebanon, in addition to the 1,000 terrorists already eliminated since the start of the current campaign.

"The IDF will act with force against high-trajectory fire from Lebanon toward Israeli cities and communities-and Hezbollah will pay a heavy price. We promised security for the northern communities, and that is exactly what we will deliver," he promised.

During targeted ground operations in southern Lebanon, IDF troops apprehended armed terrorists from the Radwan Force who had planned to fire an anti-tank missile at IDF troops. They were transferred to Unit 504 for questioning.

Interrogation of the Hezbollah terrorists revealed a decline in operative morale in southern Lebanon. Despite this, the Hezbollah terror organization continues to invest efforts to execute terrorist operations.

The questioning also emphasized that Hezbollah entered the fighting in service of the Iranian terror regime, with the terrorists admitting that "Hezbollah went out to avenge Sayyed Ali Khamenei."

The IDF noted that these admissions "serve as further proof that Hezbollah and Iran are one and the same."

According to the terrorists, "Morale is on the floor. No one has the strength to go out and fight. I just came out of a year-and-a-half of war. Anyone who leaves their home does so against their will. You can’t tell them (Hezbollah) you don’t want to come. It’s all bombardments, you don’t know when a bomb will fall on you."

"The IDF will continue to operate with determination against the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which chose to join the war as a defender of the Iranian terror regime," the IDF emphasized. "The IDF will not allow harm to be caused to Israeli civilians."

The IDF has formulated a new operational plan aimed at reshaping the Middle East on the "day after" the northern campaign, and is expected to present it to the political echelon in the near future.

The plan, which has undergone legal review, is based on the assessment that Hezbollah exploited the return of civilians to villages in southern Lebanon following the conclusion of Operation Northern Arrows in late 2024 in order to rebuild underground infrastructure and stockpile weapons in close proximity to the Israeli border.

According to the plan, the IDF seeks to completely destroy dozens of Lebanese villages located along the front line, from Kafr Kela to Naqoura. The plan defines civilian infrastructure in these villages as "incriminated," due to Hezbollah’s extensive use of them.

Unlike the situation prior to Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon in the year 2000, the intention is for the new zone to be entirely free of Lebanese residents. The plan stipulates that a limited number of Christian villages in the area will not be destroyed, and their residents will be permitted to remain under IDF security control.

Additionally, the IDF plans to establish a strong and permanent defensive line within Lebanese territory, effectively replicating the “yellow line" concept implemented in the Gaza Strip within Lebanon.

Alongside the operational plan, the IDF on Friday presented a more sober assessment regarding the end of the campaign. After two-and-a-half years of prolonged fighting, officials acknowledged that the goal of disarming Hezbollah is not currently achievable.

“The constraints do not allow for disarming the organization at this time," a senior IDF officer admitted. He added that the objective for concluding the campaign is to weaken Hezbollah, significantly damage its capabilities, and physically push it away from the border.

IDF soldiers of the 91st Division eliminated armed Hezbollah terrorists who approached them, and located dozens of weapons in southern Lebanon

On Wednesday, armed Hezbollah terrorists approached IDF soldiers of the 91st Division and posed a threat to them.

In a rapid operational response, the Israeli Air Force struck and eliminated the terrorists.

In addition, the soldiers located numerous weapons, including rifles, RPGs, ammunition magazines, and additional weapons.

"The IDF will continue to operate decisively against the Hezbollah terrorist organization after it chose to join the hostilities and operate under the auspices of the Iranian regime," a statement read.

Sirens sounded Friday morning in northern Israel after an Iranian cluster missile was launched towards Haifa and the surrounding area.

Security forces and first responders were called to a number of impact sites in Haifa and Kiryat Ata. Heavy damage was reported to some of the sites, and vehicles caught fire.

Magen David Adom (MDA) reported that a 79-year-old suffered light injuries from rocks thrown by the blast created by the impact, and was treated by paramedics.

MDA EMT Ron Cohen said: “We received a report of a missile strike and arrived at the scene with MICUs, ambulances, and MDA medicycles. We saw destruction and vehicles on fire. A 79-year-old conscious man was walking around, suffering from an injury to his arm after being hit by debris propelled by the blast. We provided him with medical treatment and evacuated him to the hospital in mild condition. MDA teams are also treating several people suffering from anxiety symptoms at the scene."

On Thursday night, a cluster missile launched towards central Israel caused severe damage to a home in Ramat Gan. Interceptor fragments were also found in Petah Tikva and Givat Shmuel, but no injuries were reported.

In a targeted operational activity by IDF Division 146 in southern Lebanon, approximately 15 Hezbollah terrorists were eliminated over the past day.

Forces from the 213th Artillery Brigade and the 226th Reserve Brigade, operating in the sector, identified the terrorists moving within their area of operations. Under the division’s direction, the Israeli Air Force carried out precise strikes that neutralized the threat.

In one of the central incidents, troops identified a Hezbollah terrorist cell preparing to launch antitank missiles toward Israeli territory. The forces acted swiftly, closing the operational loop, and fighter jets struck the cell, eliminating the terrorists before they could carry out the attack.

In addition to the eliminations, forces continue conducting searches in the area and have located terrorist infrastructure and large quantities of weapons.

Among the items found were rifles, vests, grenades, and additional military equipment used by Hezbollah terrorists in combat against IDF forces and in attempts to harm Israeli civilians.

The IDF has been operating in southern Lebanon over the past month, carrying out targeted ground operations in several areas, alongside strikes from the air, sea, and land against all centers of gravity of the Hezbollah terrorist organization.

The 91st, 146th, 36th, and 162nd Divisions are leading a focused ground effort in southern Lebanon, including targeted operations, dismantling of terrorist infrastructure, and the elimination of terrorists, while deepening the damage to the organization’s capabilities and pushing it out of the area.

So far, approximately 1,000 terrorists have been eliminated, including many senior commanders and hundreds of Radwan Force operatives.

The IDF has struck more than 3,500 terror targets across Lebanon. The strikes have focused on terrorist infrastructure, weapons storage facilities, launch positions, and command and control headquarters.

In addition, key assets and financial storage sites of the “Al-Qard al-Hasan" Association were struck, alongside five central bridges used for transferring weapons and enemy forces from north to south Lebanon.

Al-Qard al Hasan is a financial organization that operates as a parallel banking system in Lebanon, exploits civilian funds, and receives money from Iran to finance the Hezbollah terrorist organization. The strikes against it have caused significant damage to the terrorist organization’s finances.

A missile launched from Iran on Thursday night carried a cluster warhead. Loud explosions were heard in central Israel.

Magen David Adom (MDA) reported that a fragment from an interceptor fell in Givat Shmuel.

Teams were dispatched to scan several locations where reports of impacts were received, including Tel Aviv, Givat Shmuel, and Bnei Brak. Miraculously, there were no casualties.

Sirens were activated Thursday in hundreds of communities across the country following launches from Lebanon, Iran, and Yemen. In Petah Tikva, heavy damage was caused to buildings and property after an explosion created a large crater at the impact site. The missile from Yemen was intercepted and caused no injuries or damage.

According to IDF assessments, the warhead of the Iranian missile exploded in Petah Tikva. A man and a woman were lightly injured and evacuated to Beilinson Hospital in the city. In Mazkeret Batya, another person was lightly injured by shattered glass caused by the blast wave from the Iranian missile's impact.

A Thursday night report by CNN revealed a more complex and less encouraging picture regarding Iran’s military capabilities, after over a month of airstrikes by Israel and the US.

According to three sources familiar with the intelligence details, Iran’s arsenal is far from destroyed, and large portions of it have not been hit at all.

According to the sources, about half of Iran’s missile launchers remain intact and operational. Many of them survived the strikes thanks to an extensive network of “missile cities" - underground tunnels and caves built over decades that are extremely difficult to detect or destroy from the air.

Estimates indicate that around 50% of Iran’s suicide drone arsenal remains intact, leaving the regime with thousands of UAVs capable of operating across the Middle East.

A significant portion of the cruise missiles belonging to Iran’s Navy also remain intact, largely because the US chose not to focus its strikes on coastal military assets. In addition, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps still possesses hundreds or even thousands of fast boats and unmanned vessels.

On Wednesday evening, US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran's ability to launch missiles and drones has been "dramatically curtailed, and their weapons factories and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces, very few of them left."

Though there has been a 90% drop in launches since the start of the war, intelligence indicates that this is due to a drop in usage, not a drop in ability.

11-year-old Nesiya from Bnei Brak, who was critically injured in a direct hit by an Iranian missile in the city on Wednesday, underwent complex surgery to save her life at Sheba Tel Hashomer Medical Center on Thursday.

According to the hospital’s statement, the surgery ended successfully, and the girl is now sedated and on a ventilator in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Her family has been staying at her bedside since the incident. In parallel, her younger brother was also moderately injured in the same attack, and his condition is described as stable.

Nesiya's doctors said in an evening update that there has been some improvement and partial stabilization in her condition, but they stressed that she is still in serious condition and requires close monitoring.

During last night’s Passover Seder, the family held the holiday meal near the ward where the girl is hospitalized, with the assistance of a local charity organization.

The family and the community in Bnei Brak continue to hold public prayers for Nesiya's full recovery.